Generalized intelligent technology involves software systems, hardware equipment, basic technologies and algorithm models. Software systems such as pig farm production management and enterprise cloud commonly used in pig farms; hardware equipment including smart sensors, infrared cameras, wearable devices and smart chips, etc. ; The basic technology is what we usually call ABCD technology, and the algorithm model is a key step to truly realize the transition from artificial to machine learning imitation, association and migration.
In the actual application scenario of pig farms, individual identification is the first step in precise management, which extends from individual identification to sow reproduction management, piglet management, feeding and growth management, disease prevention and control, environmental control and group transfer management. At present, the commonly used technologies include RFID technology, visual recognition, voice recognition, automatic feeding stations, intelligent robots, and the Internet of Things.
The use of smart devices in pig breeding application scenarios
1. Individual identification
In addition to the traditional identification methods such as visual ear tags, body tattoos, and missing ears, RFID technology and pig face recognition technology are often concerned at present.
RFID radio frequency identification technology, also known as electronic tags, is suitable for most types of livestock. It stores the unique identity information of animals by embedding an electronic tag in the mother tag of a traditional plastic ear tag, and identifies the electronic tag through radio signals to obtain ID. serial number, used with the reader (radio transceiver). Compared with traditional ear tags, electronic ear tags have outstanding advantages - non-contact long-distance identification, unique identity information cannot be tampered with and easy to trace, and can achieve real-time with production management software (such as breeding software KF system, production management software pig music pipe system). Connect the input data, adapt to the harsh environment of the pig farm, and greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of data input. At present, low-frequency electronic ear tags (134.2KHZ) are widely used, such as breeding management, automatic feeding stations, etc., and ultra-high-frequency electronic ear tags that can achieve group reading effect will gradually mature, and will be used in the management and traceability of fattening groups. applied in the system.
Like face recognition technology, pig face recognition is a type of biometric recognition technology - based on the construction of AI algorithms, through the shape features of animals such as the distance between the eyes, the position of the mouth, the width of the skull, patterns, body proportions, Realize the identification of animal identity. The main technical difficulties are: the growth cycle of pigs is short, the appearance changes quickly, and the identification is difficult; at the same time, the pigs in the pig house are often in motion, and rarely face the camera, even if the pig face is locked in the limit bar. It is also easy to be blocked by fences, and data collection is difficult; more importantly, there is a lack of data on the growth of pigs of different breeds for reference. Although pig face recognition has outstanding advantages, there is still a long way to go for technological exploration.
2. Sow management
Monitoring the reproductive status and health status of sows through behavior analysis and body temperature changes of sows has clear application significance for timely detection of sows estrus, return to estrus, disease early warning combined with remote collaboration.
The electronic doctor shown in the figure below judges the estrus timing and health status of sows by monitoring the core temperature of pigs around the clock, thereby providing a certain basis for accurate breeding timing and disease early warning.
Of course, the estrus and health status of sows can be judged by monitoring the behavior of sows, which is also the development direction that the industry focuses on.
3. Piglet management
The multi-functional handling vehicle for piglets in the farrowing room developed by Alefu, a brand of MSD Animal Health Intelligence, can realize the process of catching pigs - ear tagging - weighing - recording - tail docking - feeding and deworming - nasal pseudorabies - iron supplementation - health care - hitting The SOP operation process in the delivery room such as vaccines greatly reduces labor costs, reduces the waste of vaccines, reduces piglet wound infection, and improves the survival rate of piglets in the delivery room.
The SmartGuard system developed by an entrepreneurial project in Iowa, USA, can monitor the pitch, sound intensity and duration of piglets screaming in the farrowing room in real time, and determine whether the piglets are in distress or normal screaming. When a piglet is crushed, the device sends vibrations to the sow's wearable device, reminding the sow to stand or switch positions to free the crushed piglet.
4. Feeding management
At present, the inventory and weight evaluation of growing pigs is a hot spot in research and development worldwide. The pasture watcher developed by Beijing Xiaolong Stealth Co., Ltd. is based on the precise management of the growth process of pigs. Each pig wears a visual ear tag/electronic ear tag. , to refine the management granularity to a single fat pig, monitor the daily weight growth and backfat change curve of each pig, adjust the feeding strategy module according to the weight situation, and combine the Internet of Things technology to realize the control of feed, water and environmental indicators. optimization.
5. Disease management
Fancom's cough monitor, consisting of a computer with special sound analysis function and a microphone suspended in the pen, uses the sound analysis function to filter other sounds of pigs and record the coughing behavior of pigs, which can be used for early detection of pig breathing question.
6. Other
In the post-ASF era, smart devices have accelerated their participation in the chain of data collection-data-processing-decision-making control in pig breeding application scenarios, and various sensors are used to monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation, light, and feed in pig houses through IoT technology. And water indicators, the infrared thermal imager is used to establish the body temperature big data information of the pig group, and the RFID technology combined with the intelligent weight assessment can realize the individual management and traceability of the pigs in the group and the group, and even replace the manual cleaning with the intelligent robot. Pig house, remove four pests, clean up manure.
From talking about the plague to the usual, China has experienced the baptism and suffering of ASF for more than a year. The reason why it is called baptism is because ASF has promoted the rational cognition and rapid development of the pig industry. From the state of relatively blind obedience in the past, it has become more rational and sober. The strong support of the government, the maturing of technology, the implementation of group companies, intelligent technology and equipment will also lay a solid foundation for the recovery of the entire Chinese pig industry, improve biosecurity prevention, and help improve production efficiency and liberate labor.